THE SHIP SUPPLIER ISSUE 97

TForeword

Dear ISSA Members and Maritime Colleagues

he very important issue of access to ports for our members around the world wishing to undertake their daily work in an honest and efficient way, continues to be raised as a concern with some ports and port authorities insisting on payment for access to the ships, something which ISSA fervently believes lies outside the ambit of the ISPS Code.

So much so that the ISSA Secretariat once again raised the issue at June’s very important meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee at the IMO.

Publication of the Paper immediately drew positive inquiries from Canada before the ISSA agenda item was discussed fully by the IMO Member States.

Greece used the occasion to comment saying that Greek ports and the pricing therein were mostly under private status. It said that the points raised were well considered and Greece confirms the specific fees mentioned in the document (107/7/1) pertain to rights on port use for cargo handling operations granted to third parties and to rights to the port facilities used and it did not believe they were related to the ISPS Code.

Contending that there may be other charges not included in the document, Greece has invited ISSA to contact the specific ports to clarify the actual issues as with the information available in the paper, Greece is unable to confirm the issues raised.

The MSC Chair thanked ISSA for the update and encouraged ISSA members to work with the individual ports to resolve the matters they have.

This is positive news in that ISSA has the ear of the international maritime sector through the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation.

I would like to echo the remarks of the MSC Chair by asking ISSA members to work with your port authorities to resolve issues you may have.

You can keep up to date with the latest news on the ISSA website at www.shipsupply.org and send in your comments and views to the ISSA Secretariat either by phone on +44 (0)20 7626 6236; Fax +44 (0)20 7626 6234 or alternatively email secretariat@shipsupply.org

I am also delighted to confirm that the ISSA Conference/Gala Dinner will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday October 24 and 25 at the Habtoor Palace in Dubai. The conference will sit both mornings with an exciting ISSA ‘Meet the Customer’ during both afternoons. The Gala Dinner on the Weds evening will be a sumptuous affair. Look out for details on how to book your seats at this exciting event.

On the topic of social media, are you following ISSA on LinkedIn and Twitter? You can do by clicking https://www.linkedin.com/in/issa1955/ for LinkedIn and https:// twitter.com/ISSAshipsupply for Twitter.

Happy reading. u

Saeed Al Malik ISSA President

India

Organic growth from ship supply boosts Admiral Marine

“Listening to our clients has helped us better understand their problems, and an eagerness to solve these problems, has propelled our growth into Crew Management, Vessel Traffic Management Systems, Logistics, Catering onboard Rigs, and Distribution of Marine Lubricants” says K. Noorul Ameen, Managing Director of Admiral Marine Services.

The firm’s roots date back to 1966, when the founder K. Abdul Wadood aged 24 while working as a provisions’ salesman boarded a ship in the Madras Harbour (renamed to Chennai) and secured a small provisions order from the Captain which led to the establishment of his firm, later renamed to Admiral Marine Services.

50 years later, he was awarded the ISSA Longevity Award at the 2019 ISSA conference in Busan, South Korea as a career Ship Supplier.

Admiral Marine Services Pvt. Ltd. is among the oldest and leading ship suppliers and marine service providers in India with the widest coverage across Indian ports serving over 28 ports through its fully owned 12 branch offices.

Licensed by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), with certified cold and dry storages, own staff, own labourers, and an in-house logistics division, Admiral Marine ensures proper control over every supply and is poised to meet the demanding expectation from clients needing ‘More for Less’ and ‘Better’.

In 2008, Shell Marine Products was looking for a dependable and qualified supplier with a pan India delivery capability. Admiral Marine Services was awarded the contract and having met Shell’s rigorous standards, the contract has been consistently renewed for over 15 years.

Being an Authorised Distributor, it was a natural progression to becoming an International Reseller of Shell Marine Products, whereby Admiral Marine serves the highest

quality lubricants at very competitive prices in over 700 ports

Having interacted with hundreds of seafarers during ship supplies and realising the difficulties of clients in recruiting and managing their crew, the Crew Management division was started in 2011 to solve this need.

“With over 10 years of Crew Management experience with a RPSL license, we have manned more than 60 vessels of national and international clients while having recruited more than 5000 seafarers from various nationalities” says Capt. S. Ramkumar, CEO Admiral Marine Services.

It is worth noting that Admiral Marine had earned the most respect and recognition from the shipping fraternity during the difficult pandemic period.

Having kept the crew motivated, offices fully operational, office staff reachable from home round the clock, managed the challenges of crew change efficiently during global travel restrictions, collaborated with other crew managers in pooling resources, and supporting the seafarers and their families, has led to a strengthened relationship with clients and seafarers.

In recognition of the CSR activities in recruitment and placement of candidates, the Admiral Marine team was awarded the prestigious “Seajobs Indian Anchor Award 2022”. Admiral Marine is also an active member of IMEC and FOSMA.

While continuing to understand the needs of our clients, it was realised that with an increasing number of vessels traversing the busy waters in the Indian coastline, safe and efficient navigation had become a primary concern of ship owners and technical managers.

Leveraging its in-house competence in crew management, ship handling, port services, and tie-ups with colleagues having expertise in navigation, Admiral Marine Services entered the exciting field of Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in 2017, becoming only the second company in the country to provide an end-to-end solution within this segment.

“Admiral Marine currently mans and manages over 8 Vessel Traffic Stations (VTS) along with observational duties in another 10 radar and VTS stations, while having trained over 170 VTS operators”, says their joint venture partner, Capt. Neel J. Nair.

In addition to safety and efficiency, VTMS plays a crucial role in environmental protection.

By promoting optimal vessel routing and speed adjustments, it helps minimise fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and mitigate the impact of shipping activities on marine ecosystems.

It further facilitates the implementation of regulations related to ballast water management, hazardous cargo handling, and waste disposal, promoting sustainable practices, and safeguarding the marine environment.

While Admiral Marine has carefully diversified into various fields within the maritime ecosystem, each of its divisions are managed by experts who are focused in meeting the objectives of clients. Its Quality Management System has been certified by Bureau Veritas to meet the ISO 9001:2015 Standard.

“Our client’s journey is being mapped out; specific benchmarks are being set; proper data and analytics strategy is being weaved into our processes, whilst our staff are honing their skills with only the relevant and needed technologies” says K. Mohamed Yusuf, Director of Admiral Marine Services.

He further adds, “We don’t want to jump on the band wagon of ‘AI’ and ‘ML’ just because it is the buzz right now.

“Instead, we have realised that knowledge is our most important asset, and we are working to develop practical technologies in-house that enable us to preserve and transfer the insights gained through experience and making our teams more effective and efficient.

“While striving towards being data driven, we believe that digitisation and technology does not replace but empowers our employees.” u

The Admiral Team receive the Seajobs Indian Anchor Award

across the world.

ISSA Senior Executive Vice-President Abdul Hameed Hajah brings exciting news of the thriving Indian shipping market

“M

ay you live in interesting times,” goes the old proverb, which resonates well with the current time and people of India.

In the midst of political shifts, ideological debates, and the incredibly diverse mix of population, the shipping industry in India has been steadily advancing.

Given the vital import and export trade routes for crude and crude products, iron ore, coking and thermal coal, fertiliser, cement, and containers, among many others, vessel traffic at Indian ports has been gradually increasing.

To cope with the additional demand and vessel traffic, digitalisation seems to be the national watch-word especially amongst the 15 important and major ports in the sub-continent.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways in India has recently introduced many modernisation and digital initiatives to reduce overall visit times and state of the art technology initiatives are being implemented to enhance efficiency within major Indian Sea Ports.

These include:

• The Port Community Systems (PCS1x), a cloud-based new generation technology promoting a single unified platform for all maritime digitised processes. Gone are the days of paper under this initiative which all maritime stake-holders are being actively encouraged to adopt.

• The Enterprise Business System is active in major Indian Ports in Mumbai , Chennai , Deendayal , Kolkata and Paradip. Leading international practices will be used in this digital platform allowing local players to standardise their operations.

• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has been installed across most major Indian ports. By monitoring and controlling shipping traffic, Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) has become instrumental in improving the safety of port navigation, and enhances ability to track and identify all vessels transiting through the ports.

• A RFID-based access control system has been introduced in Deendayal port. This will oversee security in all entry/exit gates and enable faster tracing of personnel, vehicles, materials, equipment and other assets to speed up movement within the port.

India is building a new mega trans-shipment port in the Andaman & Nicobar islands, estimated to cost USD 5 Billion. The strategic location of the Andaman & Nicobar islands aims to make India a major player in trans-shipment cargo in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Currently more than 75% of India’s trans-shipment cargo enters through trans-shipment hubs in Colombo & South East Asia.

Through this new mega port Terminal, India aims to end reliance on its neighbouring rivals and compete with ports

such as in Colombo, China , Malaysia and Singapore. A new deep sea port in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala is also currently under construction and the first phase is expected to be ready by end 2023.

Although advancements in ports have been steadily progressing, the pace at which the internal infrastructure has been improving is still very slow which makes it a challenge for ship suppliers to meet

the ever-growing expectations from their customers.

Healthy collaboration among all active players (ship chandlers, vessel owners/managers, crew, vessel agents and port authorities) within our supply ecosystem is the need of the hour as we move forward towards a safe, and efficient supply to ships calling Indian ports. u

Abdul Hameed Hajah ISSA SEVP

India Ship supply sector thrives

The ship supply industry in India is a thriving sector, with many suppliers offering a range of products and services designed to meet the needs of ship owners and operators.

Maritime transport is the moving force of the global economy and accounts for 80% of global trade.

The undisputed dominance of the maritime industry over the global economy necessitates vessels to be in top sailing condition.

To achieve this, vessels depend on an effective and coordinated supply of provisions, spare parts and other products and services necessary for planned voyages. This in turn makes the role of the ship supplier crucial for any maritime entity.

All this results in a challenging operational environment. There is a need to overcome any supply chain disruption and put in place timely sourcing of goods and services. This Indian ship suppliers seek to do but it would be wrong to say this has been easy!

Any delay in supply to vessels not only affects the voyage parameters but results in a consequent penalty imposed for late arrival of a vessel.

Contracting with a reliable ship supplier partner is vital.

There are plenty of firms in the market-place but only a select few stand out and are to be relied upon.

One of these is ISSA Member Global Marine Supply Co. with its Head Office in Mumbai.

This long-established firm under the direction of Ajay Joseph has rightly basked in the glory of a number of significant awards and honours being given over the successful life span of the company.

Just recently Brand Empower selected Global Marine Supply Company to receive its prestigious Global Excellence Award for best ship supplier in India.

GMSC Director Mr. Ajay Joseph received the award from legendary Indian film actress Madhuri Dixit Nene at The Sahara Star International Hotel, Mumbai, on 7th May 2023. u

Medical & Safety

Importance of Updated Medicine Chests for Vessels

Highlighted in New Medical Guide

One of the most important aspects of supplying a vessel comes down to identifying the correct items that may be needed when a medical emergency arises on board.

Whether it is equipment or medications, it is critical that vessels have the latest supplies so that medical emergencies can be handled properly and thus increase the likelihood of a good outcome.

A newly published guide, International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers, spells out essential information from some of the most authoritative sources in shipping: International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) produced the guide in collaboration with the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

The International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers comprises three sections:

• The 600-page medical guide containing latest medical knowledge by way of clear and practical explanations of assessments, treatments, and procedures, with chapters devoted to choking, bleeding, chest pain, seizures, strokes, back injuries, wounds, burns, and more.

• The Ship’s Medicine Chest, a detailed annex listing all the different medications and equipment that should be carried on board with international comparisons of medications and the amounts. Research at the start of the project showed that many ships’ medicine chests were out of date or that medical products were not available in certain regions, so great care was taken to create a Ship’s Medicine Chest that is as up to date and widely understood as possible.

• Ten removable action cards that can be carried anywhere on the ship to assess immediately an emergency medical situation.

The entire guide features an easy-to-use format for a nonmedical professional to navigate and apply in a medical situation, by way of 3D visual aids, tables, charts, and assessments to help

crew follow procedures correctly.

For ship suppliers, the Ship’s Medicine Chest is a particularly important part of the new guide. This section provides a thorough description of the inventory that must be carried, the minimum stock of medications and the medical equipment required. The inventory describes how to store and control all these items.

Particular care is given to describing medications with international non-proprietary names in recognition of the international nature of shipping and the many nationalities of seafarers. The strength of the medications, quantity, form of administration, and indications for use are detailed.

The guide advises that ships should always carry the minimum stock of medications and medical equipment and that an audit of the supplies should be conducted at least once per year, as follows:

“This involves checking quantities, storage conditions, expiry dates, labels, and whether the packaging is intact. Check needles, syringes, and metal instruments for rust and damage to the packaging. The Master is responsible for checking and certifying that the medicine and equipment on board corresponds to the ship’s medicine chest inventory.” u

To learn more about the Medical Guide and order a copy, including the Ship’s Medicine Chest, please visit the ICS Publications website: https://publications.ics-shipping.org

FAITH IN FEEDSTOCKS

Producing a drop-in low carbon fuel that vessel owners can bunker today and begin on a journey to decarbonise their existing fleet, all starts with the decisions we make about which feedstocks to use in fuel production, explains Dr Nicholas Ball, CEO, XFuel, a producer of sustainable drop-in fuels for the transport industries.

The world dreams of a future of synthesised fuels made using renewable electricity to produce hydrogen through electrolysis of water, and powering vessels with shiny new engine technology that emit no carbon, no particulate matter and no NOx or SOx.

Vessel operators today, looking for low-carbon fuel solutions to help them meet rising regulations and start the decarbonisation of their existing fleet, are hard pressed to find a fuel that is widely available at a similar price to fuel oil and that comes with the assurance of more to come.

The industry faces a challenging pathway to net-zero by 2050.

The IMO is ratcheting up pressure to reduce carbon intensity and various regulators, including the EU, are offering the prospect of rapidly rising carbon costs. Future synthetic fuels seem a long way away. Renewable energy and hydrogen electrolyser capacity remain too small to produce synthetic fuel’s main feedstock at scale. The infrastructure to transport, store, and bunker these fuels still requires much investment, while for some fuels, engine development is nascent.

Near-term alternative fuels – those available for use today in the world’s existing fuel-oil powered fleet – often face problems with low production volumes which make them cost prohibitive. One cause of this is production processes that by design rely on specific feedstocks that are limited in their availability. Using a specific feedstock can simplify fuel production, but it also makes it harder to scale production if the supply of the feedstock is disrupted.

Feedstock agnostic

At XFuel, we challenged ourselves to produce a sustainable drop-in fuel for the shipping industry that was cost and price competitive with traditional fuel oil. Our approach shows that the production of high-quality drop-in fuels is possible and can provide an immediate low-carbon fuel solution to the shipping industry.

Our energy conversion technology takes waste streams from a wide range of industries to produce fuel, and also produces a by-product called biochar. Biochar is a carbon-rich product and an effective store of carbon, which helps to make our fuels low carbon, even carbon negative. Biochar has applications in agriculture as a soil enricher, and in construction as an additive to concrete or asphalt.

XFuel technology uses lignocellulosic waste from agriculture, construction and manufacturing as a feedstock to produce its drop-in fuel. The process also uses other waste inputs such as waste lubricant oils. Each of these waste streams is abundant.

But currently they are often simply incinerated at end of life, in a process that is environmentally damaging and expensive to producers. Our production process offers a commercially viable method for bringing these waste streams into a carbon negative lifecycle, by combining fuel production with a sequestration method that creates sustainable drop-in fuels.

Flexible Production Facilities

Using a range of low-cost feedstocks is not the only factor in creating a low-carbon sustainable fuel for the shipping industry that is widely available. The production facilities themselves are also important. Scaling fuel production and supply needs to overcome bottlenecks in the construction of production facilities and the supply of feedstocks.

XFuel has developed a modular production technology, which means refineries are smaller, more flexible and easy to construct. With this approach XFuel and its partners can unlock a new, decentralised model for sustainable drop-in fuels based on widely available local feedstock, and which is replicable and scalable anywhere in the world.

The planet cannot wait for zero carbon fuels to reach technological maturity. Shipping needs low-carbon fuels now. With flexible feedstock inputs, our plants can be selfsufficient and be placed in almost any location. This creates the opportunity to reduce the length of the overall fuel supply chain, significantly reducing environmental impact and contributing to a circular economy.

For instance, production facilities could be easily located in or near port communities. With access to the local waste streams to use as feedstock, such a production facility would also shrink the downstream supply chain by being close to marine fuel offtakers and vessel owners.

Flexibility and scalability are at the heart of XFuel’s technology, to ensure the sustainable fuels we produce are able to compete on a level playing field with legacy fuel oils and enable the customers we serve in the shipping industry to meet their climate commitments rapidly, cost-effectively and sustainably. u

https://xfuel.com

The indoor modular factory production facility

High-quality data looks to take procurement to the next level

Procurement specialists are increasingly turning to data to make more informed decisions that enhance their operations and cut costs. However, ensuring that data is high-quality remains a crucial challenge for the sector to overcome.

With the maritime industry as a whole increasingly turning to digitalisation to become more efficient and drive down long-term costs, the procurement sector is the next major department looking to utilise technology to streamline its day-to-day processes.

In this scenario, purchasing officers and managers are relying heavily on data to inform their decision-making, expand their network of suppliers and help balance the books.

“Shipping procurement departments have an extraordinary opportunity to have more control over the entire process by utilising digital platforms that enable them to have access to more data and a wider network of suppliers that can help them drive down costs,” said Grigoris Lamprou, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Procureship, a Greece-based e-procurement platform that is leveraging the power of high-quality data, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the procurement process for the global shipping sector.

Procurement specialists are increasingly utilising data to access and select new suppliers that can provide parts and services that meet their needs in markets that are more accessible depending on where a particular vessel is at any time.

This helps mitigate the unique challenge of the maritime sector as vessels are always on the move and never remain berthed for too long.

This is particularly applicable during a period of severe global supply chain challenges. Nearshoring of purchasing continues to pick up pace and procurement specialists are increasingly looking for suppliers that can overcome these hurdles.

“Being able to compare suppliers that are more accessible to where your vessel is at any time using the sheer amount of data that is now available is an invaluable resource that more procurement departments should look to take advantage of,”

Lamprou advocated.

“An effective e-procurement model can take the entire procurement process to the next level.

Clean data = smooth E-procurement

Being able to use a system that takes advantage of automation to automatically generate a list of top-rated suppliers in the right places with the right products at the click of a button will make the process faster, simpler and more cost-effective,” he added.

The benefits of digitalising the purchasing process have been well documented. An open-source platform can enhance the transparency and speed of the entire procurement process while cost savings can be found through securing deals with new suppliers or consolidating purchases.

For the procurement departments themselves, the risk of human error is also reduced and frees up employees from burdensome paperwork to focus on more core business-related tasks.

“Since we launched Procureship back in 2016, our data has shown that by using an e-procurement model that utilises automation and AI in the data management process, procurement departments can process their orders up to 35% more quickly. This is a huge saving in terms of man-hours and can alleviate the administrative burden on manual processes,” he added.

However, with more data available than ever before, there is an increasing need to ensure the data in an e-procurement platform is clean and of high quality so that decision-makers can make the appropriate decision for their business.

“Unreliable and inconsistent data from suppliers can often lead to inefficiencies and poor decisionmaking. This can lead to financial implications for procurement departments. Poor-quality data can result in procurement managers overspending on parts or buying parts that are not fit for purpose. High-quality data from suppliers offer a better return on investment for ship owners and managers,” Lamprou noted.

Errors in data traditionally come from legacy systems or manual entries that have been incorrectly added to modern digital platforms and not tracked or updated regularly enough.

“Supplier data needs to be regularly reviewed in order to ensure it remains relevant to the buyer. This ensures that the data does not get abandoned or forgotten. At Procureship, we are constantly reviewing our data to ensure it remains fit for purpose for our buyers and working closely with our suppliers to keep data clean and up to date,” said Lamprou.

While having a large catalogue of clean and high-quality data can enhance the procurement process, there is also a growing need for procurement specialists to be able to understand how to utilise this data effectively to improve their overall business. Collected data can be analysed in order to gain insight into market trends and patterns, and further decisionmaking processes.

“Data needs to be understood properly if it is to be used effectively. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to using data. Ship owners and managers need to identify what data is important to them when it comes to their metrics and KPIs, and focus on that data to ensure it is fit for purpose,” Lamprou declared.

With procurement departments turning to data to cut costs and boost efficiencies, e-procurement platforms will earn the confidence of their users as long as their data remains clean, valid and fit for purpose. Crucially, the procurement sector can play a leading role and develop a blueprint for harnessing the power of data to reduce risks in a period of global instability. u

https://procureship.com

Grigoris Lamprou, Procureship co-founder and CEO

Eric Christofferson from Veson Nautical ushers in a new era of data and explains the three key elements of smarter maritime decision-making

From sanctions and geopolitical forces to CII regulatory requirements and the uncertainty surrounding EU ETS implementation, the maritime industry faces a number of complex market factors in 2023 which impact decisionmaking before and during voyage execution.

Industry players must balance numerous, and at times conflicting, priorities. This includes multi-variable prefixture decisions, meeting contractual obligations and adhering to regulatory requirements all while maximising operational efficiency, minimising emissions, and controlling costs.

Properly considering these factors within a complex and ever-changing market calls for enhanced decisionmaking processes.

Ushering in a new era of data

Historically, the process of gathering and analysing information to make commercial maritime decisions has required a great deal of manual effort. With information scattered across multiple areas of the business or buried in

e-mails and separate systems, it can become very cumbersome, if not impossible, to piece together a comprehensive view of current market realities.

With the maritime industry now generating up to 120 million data points each day, there is more information for industry stakeholders to contend with than ever before.

This can be overwhelming without a means of collecting, analysing, surfacing, and storing data in a systematized way to generate actionable insights. Even with systems in place, it can sometimes be challenging to identify what data to collect and how to use it.

There is a great opportunity to leverage data insights as a means of building a competitive edge. This, however, requires that existing data silos be broken down so that organisations can effectively aggregate relevant data at the point of decision making to provide a single source of truth.

This consolidation of data can provide decision-makers with the increased accuracy, visibility and context needed to make smarter decisions that meet their varied and sometimes conflicting priorities.

The three key elements

To reach this new era of decision-making, three key elements are required.

Firstly, the right data must be delivered in the right way at the right time. A prerequisite to this is that data must be standardised for analysis and intentional sharing between systems, partners and counterparties. Timely market insights are also a crucial element to incorporate so organisations understand and adapt to the changing world.

A convergence of these three key elements at the point of decision making is powerful because it enables the business to harness the most meaningful data at the most relevant moment and with the greatest possible agility. These elements can be categorised as:

1. Decision support: Digital solutions that enhance the quality of a maritime organisation’s decisions can demonstrate a potential decision’s impact on different parts of the business. This means presenting the right data at the right time; for example, providing a charterer with a figure of estimated days in port, either generated internally or by a commercially available solution.

2. Standardisation: Smarter decision-making is also supported by data that is standardised and optimally

presented. Data which adheres to a defined standard enables integration. When information is presented in a standard manner in a given workflow, a user gains a sense of consistency during their decisionmaking process.

3. Market intelligence: The maritime shipping ecosystem is always changing, and organisations must therefore react and adapt – be that to fluctuations in commodity supply and demand, changes in fuel prices, weather patterns, new regulations, and/or geopolitical environments. Industry participants who have access to and properly leverage their own differentiated data and the data that is available in the market can create a competitive advantage for their company.

For any potential decision in maritime, stakeholders must balance myriad variables to arrive at an optimal outcome.

The complexity of today’s market compounds the situation, making the dynamics of maritime decisions harder than ever to navigate. This is why digital solutions are so important, as they can help organisations achieve a better level of accuracy, context, and visibility through relevant data insights at the point of decision-making.

These insights can provide a pathway to balancing differing priorities so that organisations can make smarter, better-informed decisions that align with their business goals and responsibilities. u

https://veson.com

How to release capital from your

distressed stock

There were many defining images of the negative impact the Covid pandemic had on the global shipping industry: seafarers stranded at sea; empty offices with workers operating from home; international travel curtailed and planes grounded; not to mention the photographs of seafarers in haz mat suits waiting in the lobbies of quarantine hotels as part of their extended two to three week trip home, once they were finally allowed off their vessels after their spell at sea.

But the saddest image must have been the swathes of cruise vessels berthed in Scottish Lochs and Norwegian Fjords, locked in their own suspended animation of warm or cold lay-up, because the market had dried up and no one was travelling.

Cruising was off limits and the ships were nogo areas. The fact the cruise sector survived the economic ravages of the Covid pandemic at all is testimony indeed to the resilience of the industry.

But while these majestic vessels waited patiently for the passengers to return, the ship suppliers were left to pick up the pieces. What would they do with the racks of dried and ambient food and the freezer loads of chicken, seafood and provisions that were once bound for the kitchens of the giant cruise ships?

One very prominent UK ship supplier even appeared on UK TV in the middle of lockdown talking about the need to sell over £1m of unwanted stock. Food which was still within its ‘sell-by’ and ’use by’ dates. A very sad and difficult time indeed.

But this is where a company like Woodstock Foods comes in. As Richard Murphy, Director, told The Ship Supplier, market game changers like Covid created their own problems and issues but “we are there to help the industry release capital from their stock and move the product back into the food system.

Not only will the ship suppliers be able to clear distressed or ‘over-production’ stock, but we pay them for it on a proforma basis. It also means less pay out for the P&I insurers but also cuts down significantly on food wastage - an important factor when you consider the impact this will have on the environment,” he said.

Woodstock Foods deals with all types of food product, whether frozen, chilled or ambient and all product is cleared to the customers’ satisfaction.

And the process is very simple. Woodstock agrees a price for the product with the ship supplier or product owner and arranges to take possession of the product.

Once Woodstock has taken possession of the product, it is repackaged and rebranded to accepted UK standards. HACCP provides full traceability and

due diligence on all aspects of the operations.

“There is so much stock out there in the market that needs a home,” said Mr Murphy. “And it is excellent food, some possibly coming to the end of its sell by dates, but food which the industry is keen to keep in the system to minimise wastage and to satisfy demand in other parts of the food supply chain.

“We take care of everything. Once we have agreed terms, we help to deal with all the administration and logistics and get the product moving.,” he said.

And where does the food come from, apart from a ship supply sector beset by Covid? Richard Murphy again: “There are a multitude of reasons why food can get rejected: either because of over production, cancelled orders, bankrupt stock, or unprofitable chains.

“And our interests will extend outside the food sector to beers and wines as well as a range of other products. We are always open to a telephone call and a chat to see how we can help,” he said. u

For more information please contact Jonathan.murphy@woodstockfoods.net

New signs to safety

Implementation of an effective escape route signage system onboard cruise ships and ferries is crucial in order to bring passengers and crew to safety in case of an emergency.

A story about implementing escape route signage onboard cruise ships or ferries will sound like a technical job to many: a large number of exit signs, stickers and strips, but not something that requires a lot of thinking.

Even today on cruise ships and ferries we can still see the lack of safety signage, LED signage and or photoluminescent or, on the contrary, a jumble of

exit signs and stickers that all scream for attention, sometimes with conflicting messages, where a sense of safety is hard to find.

Escape route signage: more than just exit signs

When the subject is ‘safety signage’ onboard a cruise ship, for many that equals to ‘Exit Signs’, without any distinction between primary and alternative escape routes as defined in the ship’s mandatory escape plan.

The specialism in the field of escape route signage however, is not to hang (or omit) as many exit signs as possible. Attention should be paid to the connection

between the Escape Plan and the signage guiding passengers to the assembly stations.

Those are the locations where passengers must be accommodated, where the life jackets are and where controlled embarkation can be organized systematically if necessary.

A single exit sign on board a ship is as meaningless as a jumble of faulty exit signs screaming for attention, because as a passenger, where do you have to go? The answer is simple: the destination should always be the assembly station.

The escape route signage system as a whole

An effective escape route signage system consists of a low location lighting system (Photoluminescent/ LED or both), combined with safety signage according to the standard applied at eye level, electrical signs, signage indicating the way to the assembly station(s) and instructions for guests and personnel (in the cabins and common areas). SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 13 Means of Escape: 3.2.5 Marking of Escape Routes.

The goal of designing the escape route signage system, is to increase the effectiveness of the evacuation process. Cruise ships are complex architectural environments. Are passengers and staff aware of the layout of the ship, do they know where the lifeboats are located? For safety reasons, an effective escape route signage system is not complete without clear instructions and training; for passengers and personnel.

Escape route signage: the implementation

The correct implementation and assembly of escape route signage is as essential as the design of the system. In the stage of applying safety signs, low location lighting and instructions, the correct positioning is crucial.

For many years, the cruise industry has been using safety signage made of (toxic) PVC, or low-quality plastics.

With the environment in focus, ISSA Member Signwell introduces a new type of PVC free signage dubbed Safesign.

Safesign IMO signs are innovative and environmentally friendly, UV-resistant, PVC-free, Halogen-free and 100% recyclable.

Their goal is simple: the desire to use the most environmentally friendly, flame-retardant, UV-resistant, transparent and 100% recyclable plastic material.

Signwell has therefore implemented the Safesign IMO signage range, which has more advantages than any other sign on the market.

As a result of continuous innovative thinking, the company has recently brought a new product to their range: the high-quality LED ceiling lights that differ from the rest of the market.

Safesign’s LX series consists of a high-end LED Escape Route Sign with a photoluminescent feature.

The series ensures an effective evacuation when the lights go out without extra cabling or back-up battery systems.

Gustav Holmström, Sales & Marketing Executive at Signwell said: “We conclude that escape route signage systems are more than just a collection of exit signs and just doing what is urgently needed in order to meet the requirements of an inspection or classification society

“Escape Route Systems is a work for professionals.

“With our turn-key service, we take care of the project from start to finish. We map the needs for safety signage on fire and escape routes.

“Furthermore, Signwell is a DNV certified LLL inspector and carries a wide range of SOLAS safety products in order to increase your safety onboard.”

http://www.signwell.fi

Green ISSA

Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas grant type approval for maritime applications to EST-Floattech’s Octopus® Series Battery System.

The first projects for this newly designed and assembled marine Energy Storage System are already being delivered.

Both Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas witnessed the rigorous tests that the firm conducted on the Octopus Series Battery System to ensure its compliance with the latest industry standards and regulations. The large and experienced classification societies approved the tests performed and showed by granting marine Type Approval that the safety and performance of the system meet their standards.

“We are glad that our ‘safe by design’ mentality has been recognized through this Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas Type Approval for Maritime Battery Systems,” said Diederick Stam, CTO at EST-Floattech.

“This achievement reinforces our commitment to providing the safest and most reliable battery systems to the maritime industry.”

Offshore decarbonisation goals

Marine Type Approval for a battery system from respected organizations such as DNV, Bureau Veritas, and Lloyd’s Register is important for shipowners and shipbuilders to ensure that the products they are considering meet the highest standards in the industry.

As neutral third-party organisations, Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas, and DNV conduct independent and impartial assessments of maritime equipment and systems. With the Type Approval they assign to a product, in this case the Octopus Series of EST-Floattech, a buyer of a product with Type Approval will know that the product is certified to be placed on board their vessels according to the highest maritime standards.

Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas and DNV

The Octopus Series Battery System’s Lloyd’s Register Type Approval on top of the DNV Type Approval is a testament to its reliability, safety, and performance, making it an ideal choice for the maritime industry. EST-Floattech says it is excited to continue providing their customers with the most advanced battery systems that meet and exceed industry standards.

EST-Floattech (2009) specialises in developing, producing, and installing reliable, sustainable, and safe battery systems for maritime applications. The in-house developed software and hardware is integrated to assure reliable operation of the Octopus Series battery system on board.

The safety and reliability of EST-Floattech’s battery technology is demonstrated by the more than 200 projects with the Green Orca and Octopus Series, involving ships that have been sailing with their batteries for more than a decade. u www.est-floattech.com/products

Cryogenic bearings smooth way to “greener” marine power

The pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions continues apace as does the search for ‘greener energy solutions’ and one of the consequences of this is significant growth in the use of Liquid Natural Gas for marine applications.

LNG has long been regarded as a sustainable fuel and has gained significant traction as a viable alternative for a wide range of commercial transport applications, including marine and shipping.

It is estimated that 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide is generated by maritime traffic which is why the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is increasingly looking to reduce CO2 emissions.

Whilst LNG is a much ‘greener’ fuel than the highly viscous diesel fuels typically used to power container ships and cruise liners, it does present significant challenges to fuel systems and pumps, specifically dealing with extreme (cryogenic) temperatures.

Overcoming the Challenges

A vital component in LNG pumps are bearings which have to withstand the extreme temperatures of being fully submerged in Liquid Natural Gas at temperatures ranging from (-196ºC / -320ºF), or in Liquid Hydrogen (-253ºC / -423ºF). Oxfordshire-based Carter Manufacturing is

acknowledged as a first choice global supplier for precision bearings and offers decades of experience in supplying proven bearing solutions for cryogenic applications.

As fuel systems approach operating temperatures of absolute zero (0ºK) the ability to utilise liquid lubrication becomes increasingly challenging, which means dry running bearings are mandatory.

‘Standard’ steel bearings (rated 52100 Chrome Steel) are simply ineffective, offering poor performance resulting in short service life and unexpected breakdowns.

In addition to the challenges of lubrication the expansion and contraction of the different materials used in the bearing housings (as aligned with the coefficient of the required thermal expansion) becomes even more critical for bearing efficiency.

Moreover, balancing the pump system, to account for the contraction of the materials, is essential. Therefore, choosing a bearing supplier who can offer the extensive specialised ‘cryogenic’ experience will help you to overcome these challenges.

In addition to lubrication issues, special material selection and heat treatment processes are essential to help ensure that warping or non-linear contraction of the bearing components doesn’t occur. This includes additional cryogenic heat treatment processes and other proprietary considerations to help achieve the best possible results.

LNG Storage Vessel for a greener maritime future

Choosing the Right Materials

Bearing cage failure is a common occurrence in cryogenic applications so material selection, in addition to cage design, is critical to performance.

Many common engineering plastics become too brittle at cryogenic temperatures, which is why Carter offers the expertise in utilising the best bearing materials. These include lower cost options such as PEEK and PTFE with custom additives, or even Durafilm or PCTFE can be specified if necessary.

Additionally, materials at these cryogenic temperatures become increasingly brittle so the cage geometry is also critical. Carter has developed a proprietary two-piece riveted cryo cage design for deep groove ball bearings that has dramatically increased performance.

As mentioned previously, standard 52100 bearing steel is inadequate for cryogenic applications, so partnering with a cryogenic expert like Carter adds value and enables customers to exploit their decades of experience.

What about Lubrication?

Traditional bearings used in lower temperature applications operate effectively with liquid lubricants creating a thin film between the steel rolling elements which minimises metal-to-metal contact and the resulting risks of micro-welding adhesion.

However, this is not possible for bearings operating in applications involving cryogenic temperatures. Carter’s solution is to offer ceramic bearings, such as silicon nitride which not only removes the need for liquid lubricants but also significantly reduces the mass and increases the bearings speed capabilities. This, in conjunction with the application of a dry film lubricant such as tungsten disulphide (rated AMS2530), are the other important factors for cryogenic bearing success.

Cryogenic Bearing Testing

Depending on the specifics of each individual project being met and your confidence that all the ‘right’ choices have been made, how do you know if your cryogenic bearing is going to be suitable to meet the demands of your application?

At this stage of the manufacturing process testing is crucial which is why Carter has developed proprietary cryogenic testing procedures to minimise the risks - before your bearings even arrive on-site.

All our cryogenic bearings undergo a strict testing procedure where they are fully submerged in Liquid Nitrogen (-196ºC / -320ºF) which represents an even more robust test than submerging in LNG as this involves lower temperatures.

The bearings also undergo performance torque and dimensional analysis, helping to ensure optimal performance for your application.

Conclusions

Switching to ‘greener’ energy options and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions continues apace, as proven by Carter’s involvement in the significant expansion of LNG projects for the marine sector.

LNG as a marine fuel meets all the current IMO and EU regulations and switching to it means complete removal of Sox and particles, along with a reduction of Nox emissions of up to 85%. The result is a reduction in CO2 emissions by at least 20%.

Carter’s large market share ensures an extensive stock of cryogenic bearings enabling customers to choose the best design and materials to suit their application.

In addition, Carter’s expertise and established procedures including; proprietary heat treatment, strict internal quality controls and rigorous testing procedures confirm why they are regarded as one of the premier suppliers of cryogenics bearings. u

https://www.carterbearings.co.uk/bearings/cryogenic-bearings

UNASIS Cryogenic Riveted Cages

What are you signing up for?

By Roger Symes, Director, Marine Debt Management

We are all familiar with the saying, “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is”. Despite knowing its meaning, all too often we suspend disbelief, certain that we are on to a sure-fire winner, be it an amazing discount, diet pills or some other quick fix.

The notion that only the gullible are fooled is easily disproved by the number of high-profile companies that have been caught out. Whilst it is easy to be wise after the event, it is far harder to properly assess the situation in real-time, when a perceived bonanza is just one click away.

Banks seeking to protect their customers from fraud suggest two simple precautions: 1) never act in haste and 2) take independent advice before acting. Such tips are easier said than done, especially for ship suppliers. Haste is the essence of ship supply, which demands RFQs be answered and stores sourced and delivered within short timescales. Ship supply is

also highly competitive and secrecy is seen as an integral part of the business, as it is in almost all parts of the shipping industry. Unsurprisingly, Marine Debt Management’s workload often includes cases resulting from ship suppliers skipping one or both above precautions.

Another saying we sometimes hear is, “Getting the order is today’s problem, getting paid is tomorrow’s problem”. It is undoubtedly true that the second problem can only arise if the first problem is successfully solved. A company without orders ceases to be a company fast. On the other hand, so does a company that gives credit to everyone!

It is easy to scoff that no one gives credit to everyone but that is, effectively, what happens in too many cases when a ship supplier enters a contract with a third-party ship manager or purchasing consortium. It applies equally when contracting with a catering contractor linked to a ship manager.

All such entities tempt suppliers with the promise of untold vessels to supply in return for best prices. Doubters are seduced with the possibility of “exclusive” contracts. Who wouldn’t jump through hoops for guaranteed business and the competition frozen out?

Securing such contracts focuses on offering the lowest prices and the biggest discounts, rebates and bonuses. Payment terms are seldom discussed because contracts are rarely negotiated by buyers with control of the purse strings. The in-house catering contactor may sign-off on 30-day payment terms but that counts for nothing. Accounts are paid by someone in a different department, office or even continent. Ship managers and their in-house catering contractors act “as agents only” and to preserve their cash flows, operate strict, “pay when paid” policies. Whilst a Buyer will expect the ship supplier to keep to agreed prices come what way, he/she will have no knowledge of or control over when invoices are paid.

Similarly, purchasing consortia originally established by reputable companies have opened their doors to third-party ship owners. Suppliers content to deal with a consortium’s founding partners are now expected to offer the same prices to vessels belonging to companies less willing to honour the agreed payment terms.

Contracts offered by ship managers, in-house catering contractors and purchasing consortia should not be signed in haste or without discussion with an independent advisor. It pays to know what you are signing up for. u

www.marinedebtmanagement.com

ISSA and Ship Supply News

Wrist delivers strong financial result and continues its ambitious M&A strategy

Wrist Ship Supply Management

ISSA Member and leading marine supplier of provisions and stores, Wrist finished 2022 with a strong financial result despite highly volatile market conditions.

The high level of investments in digitalisation and expansion into new markets continued.

Wrist has entered 2023 ready for further growth driven by its ambitious M&A strategy, focusing on industry digitalisation and environmentally friendly solutions to support the green transition.

In 2022, Wrist managed to increase business volume, raising revenue and the underlying operating profit to record levels.

Business volume finished at DKK 5.4bn, up 21% from 2021, and operating profit (EBITA) came in at DKK 241m, compared to DKK 156m in 2021.

The increase in revenue was based on a stronger value proposition, supported by a global footprint and margin uplift based on ever more efficient operations.

“During 2022, we pursued the innovation of new digital and integrated solutions to meet our customers’ need for efficient and resilient supply chains, and we acquired Centralam Panama at the Panama Canal,” says Jens Holger Nielsen, Group CEO of Wrist.

In acquiring Centralam Panama, Wrist has expanded its global reach and secured a foothold at one of the world’s most important maritime crossroads.

With the development of new digital services, Wrist offers strong data insights into customers’ supply chains and ordering and maintenance processes.

Several pilot customers confirmed the great potential of the digital marketplace, Source2Sea, and the first customer specific product catalogues were introduced in 2022.

Delving deeper into the impressive figures Wrist reported generated revenue of DKK 5.4bn, up 21% from 2021. Gross profit increased to DKK 1,510m from DKK 1,198m in 2021, resulting in a gross profit increase of 26%.

The increase was mainly driven by improved sales volume, inflationary impact on commodity prices, exchange rate fluctuations, sourcing benefits, and several efficiency initiatives.

Operating profit (EBITA) was DKK 241m, compared to DKK 156m in the previous year. EBITA includes expenses for transformational excellence programs, digitalisation, and acquisitions.

A like-for-like comparison of EBITA for 2021 and 2022 revealed an increase of 54.9% or DKK 85m, as the result of increased sales volume and the recent years of transformation programs within commercial and operational excellence.

The Group’s equity stood at DKK 1,066m at the end of 2022, up DKK 134m compared to 2021.

With the intent strategically to leverage the organisation to ensure customer centricity, Wrist reinforced its executive management, appointing Peder Winther, CEO Ship Supply, reporting to Group CEO Jens Holger Nielsen.

Investments continued in the strategic development of Procurement, Sales, Data/IT and Operations, to meet customer demands for cost-efficient, sustainable, and streamlined purchasing and operational processes.

“We want to make sure we have the ability to help our customers navigate new potential disruptions and complex conditions in the years to come,” says Jens Holger Nielsen.

The high level of investment in digitalisation, acquisitions, sustainable solutions, and people development, as formulated in the new Group strategy, CONNECT 2027, is expected to lead to continued expansion and growth over the coming years.

Looking into 2023, Anders Skipper, Group CFO, says: “We are moving into macroeconomically uncertain waters, but we have a strong market 2 position and therefore expect total sales to grow organically to around DKK 5.7bn and an increase in operating profit (EBITA) to DKK 300m-320m.”

In 2023, Wrist is accelerating the sustainable transition, launching a new ESG strategy and 5-year roadmap.

“With innovative partnerships with selected customers and technology partners, we can develop sustainable solutions that will positively impact our customers’ businesses and the maritime eco-systems,” says Jens Holger Nielsen. u

www.wrist.com

Obituary

Pieter de Haas

Dear ISSA Members:

It is with a heavy heart we have to inform you Pieter Cornelis de Haas passed away Monday 12th of June at the age of 79.

Pieter was an honorary member of the Dutch Ship Suppliers Association (NVVS) and played an important role in the international ship suppliers business.

In the early 1970s, Pieter acted as managing director of the then Klevenberg Shipping Center BV, and he was involved in the Dutch association as a member of various committees and working groups.

From 1979 to 1986 he held a board position and later from 1988 to 1993 and from 2000 to 2006 he was the chairman of the NVVS. Even after this he remained very actively involved in the association as Secretary until April 1, 2011. He has therefore meant a lot to the NVVS!

Our thoughts go out to the family, friends and other loved-ones.

A special word of condolence to his son Peter de Haas, who (like his father) is an important contributor to the NVVS and OCEAN through his participation in Customs and Veterinary Affairs working groups.

On behalf of the NVVS board

L.B.W. Busz

Chairman NVVS. u

New Board for Greek Ship Suppliers Association

Hellenic Ship Suppliers & Exporters Association –the governing body of Greek ship supply – have elected their new Board.

After the conducting their Annual General Meeting and elections of PSSEA the new Board composition for the next 3 years is as follows:

President Nick Mavrikos

A vice President C.Papaxastas

B vice president D.Madouvalos

General Secretary P.Degreas

Cashier M.Perperopoulou-Repouskou

Counsellors :

M.Panoutsopoulos

M.Nomikos

E.Bassilopoulos

N.Panousou-Konstantelou u

www.ship-suppliers.gr

Nick Mavrikos (President) looks forward to a further 3 year term

Out & About

We bring you the dates of significant maritime events…

August

• INTEX - Osaka, (Japan): 4th & 5th August 2023

• Marintec South America (Navalshore), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): 22nd to 24th August 2023

• Indonesia International Shipbuilding,Offshore, Marine Equipment,Machinery & Services Exhibition, Jakarta (Indonesia) 23rd to 25th August 2023

September

• SPE Offshore Europe – Aberdeen, Scotland: 5th – 8th September 2023

• London International Shipping Week (LISW): 11th – 15th September 2023

• Monaco Yacht Show: 27th to 30th September 2023

• World Maritime Day: 28th September 2023

October

• Oman Shipping Forum: 2nd to 5th October 2023

• 2nd European Methanol Summit, Dusseldorf (Germany): 11th to 12th October 2023

• Bangladesh International Marine and Offshore Expo, Dhaka (Bangladesh): 12th to 14th October 2023

• The Marine Energy Transition Forum (METF), Antwerp (Belgium): 17th & 18th October 2023

• ISSA 65 Conference & Gala Dinner, Dubai: 24th & 25th October 2023

• WISTA AGM – Montevideo, Uruguay: 24th – 27th October 2023

ISSA 65 Conference and Gala Dinner

Habtoor Palace, Al Habtoor City, Dubai

October 24th and 25th

Get your tickets now!

The beautiful Emirate of Dubai is waiting to welcome the ISSA family between October 24th and 25th as the host city for the 65th ISSA Conference and Gala Dinner, kindly sponsored by DP World.

And the sumptuous Habtoor Palace has been chosen as the place where it will all happen. Describing itself as a palatial jewel by the water, the Habtoor Palace Dubai is centrally located in the landmark lifestyle development on the banks of Dubai Water Canal. This Beaux-Arts inspired palace offers 182 guest rooms and 52 suites, Butler service, fine dining, sprawling gardens, as well as three sparkling pools.

Now that the Covid pandemic is over, we can all look forward to high level networking and debate at the main conference, Gala Dinner as well as the newly-introduced ‘ISSA Meet the Customer’ event which will pair ISSA

members opposite specially invited procurement officers from the list of our ISSA Honorary Members of shipowners and managers.

The ISSA conference will be held in the mornings of the 24th and 25th, with the ‘ISSA Meet the Customer’ being held in the afternoons, all guaranteeing two days of the best networking and business interaction.

The Gala Dinner, which will be held in the evening of Wednesday October 25th, is a firm favourite of ISSA Convention attendees and offers the perfect opportunity for excellent dining and socialising.

Delegate fees: €900 (€700 Early Bird booking)

Accompanying persons: €650 (€500 Early Bird booking)

If you would like to reserve tickets then contact the ISSA Secretariat by emailing: secretariat@shipsupply.org u

Sponsored by

Market News

Survitec win Diversity & Inclusion Award together with Shell

Global Survival Technology solutions provider Survitec has won a prestigious accolade in partnership with Shell in helping to remove workplace barriers.

At the Offshore Achievement Awards, Survitec and Shell scooped the award for diversity and inclusion, recognising a joint effort in removing barriers, improving the working experience for colleagues and building an inclusive culture.

The award resulted from a project initiated by the findings of a Shell colleague survey about the offshore immersion suit experience.

The findings revealed an increasing number of male and female crew having to change immersion suits multiple times pre-flight. As a result, this could cause flight delays, embarrassment, and possibly having an ill-fitted immersion suit.

Together, Shell and Survitec win the Offshore Achievement Award for their exceptional work and outstanding achievement in promoting diversity and inclusion in the offshore energy industry. Featuring Susannah Stott (Shell), Richard Gordon (Survitec) and Callum Thomson (Shell).

Based on the feedback provided, Survitec took immediate steps to adjust the immersion suit rental fleet by increasing the sizing availability by 30%.

Accepting the award in Aberdeen, UK, Survitec’s Shell Account Manager Richard Gordon commented: “We have an uncompromising focus on safety, quality and compliance.

“By listening to the feedback from the offshore workforce at Shell, we were able to offer an increased range and versatility of sizing achieved through the modular design of immersion suit seals to ensure correct fit first time, every time.”

Susannah Stott, Integration Analyst for Low Carbon Fuels and Balance Committee Member at Shell said:

“The Offshore Achievement Awards recognise outstanding achievements in the energy industry and showcase the importance of individuals and all the ways they contribute to our industry, and our businesses success.

“We are so delighted to hear the work of our Balance (gender parity) committee and Survitec is being recognised.

“This work is truly industry changing and sets a clear marker that the ideas of just a few can revolutionise the way we work, removing barriers and creating a more inclusive offshore world for years to come.”

Robert Kledal Survitec CEO added: “As a trusted partner to Shell, I am delighted we have been recognised for our commitment to improving the offshore passenger experience.

“The changes we have made are now available for all our offshore customers, benefitting the entire industry.

“Working with our customers has helped us develop products that meet their needs now and in the future.” u

Clean sweep announces Armach Robotics

Armach Robotics, Inc. (Armach) has reached another milestone in its mission to deliver a sustainable and scalable solution in managing biofouling for the global shipping industry.

Following a successful period of demonstrating the effectiveness of its hull cleaning robots with commercial shipping operators, Armach has announced the launch of EverClean - a new service delivering always clean hulls for ship owners and operators, with the added value of perpetual hull condition monitoring.

Currently, the additional focus and pressure on ship operators to work more intensively towards decarbonising and managing biofouling, has led to heightened demand for a cost-effective, and sustainable solution.

EverClean enters the market at the right time to meet this need, with demonstrable success in maintaining a ship in an always clean state.

Managing biofouling on ships has long been a challenge, with associated problems, including vessel scheduling, maintenance, increased hull deterioration, and reduced efficiency, affecting commercial interests,

as well as the environmental impacts, including higher emissions through drag, and the transportation of invasive species.

Not long after being highlighted as a ‘solution to watch’, having been shortlisted by the Ocean Opportunity Lab and World Ocean Council’s as part of their Biofouling Innovation Challenge, Armach successfully completed its phase of proving the concept of its robotic hull cleaning system with a select number of ship operators.

Thanks to its sophisticated navigation technology, the hull service robot navigates its way over the hull intelligently, and, similar to georeferencing, maps the hull condition to its appropriate on-hull location.

This ensures the cleaning of each section of the hull without accidental repeat, giving EverClean its competitive advantage, and ship owners and operators a proven, cost-effective way to ensure a clean hull at all times, with the addition of an accurate hull condition survey after each clean. u

www.armachrobotics.com

Hull cleaning in port

The Cleaning Machines

Carter Manufacturing continues expansions into Australasia

UNASIS International Ltd, the specialist custom bearing and tool manufacturing division of the CARTER MANUFACTURING group of companies has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Australian company CGB Precision Products.

This agreement underlines the continued expansion of Carter Manufacturing and emphasises their growing global reach covering Europe, America, Asia and now Australasia.

CGB are a highly respected company established for over 50 years and represent a perfect fit in

matching Carter Manufacturing’s UNASIS reputation as being at the forefront of cutting-edge bearing technology.

They supply high performance bearings and bushes, rod ends, spherical bearings, magnetic brakes, clutches, couplings, load cells, amplifiers and controllers to customers in commercial aerospace and defence industries across the Australasia region.

To coincide with the distribution agreement, Carter Manufacturing were able to join CGB at the recent Avalon Air show 2023 in Australia which attracts senior aviation, aerospace, defence, military

industry and government decisionmakers from around the world.

Post show statistics confirm that the event broke all previous attendance records confirming its success and its status as Australia’s largest international aviation and aerospace industry exposition. Positive feedback for CGB and Carter confirm initial leads generated at the show are already turning into orders. u

www.carterbearings.co.uk and www.cgb.com/au/

Octopus High Energy battery system on board E-Cat for AG Reederei Norden-Frisia

The recently launched Octopus Series battery system will be installed on board the new Damen Electric Fast Ferry for AG Reederei Norden-Frisia.

The German Ferry operator is taking steps towards achieving its vision of a green future by partnering with Damen Shipyards, one of the world’s leading shipbuilders, for the design and construction. The fully electric vessel will transport passengers fast, cleanly and comfortably thanks to EST-Floattech’s battery system.

The ferry will operate between Norddeich and the island of Norderney, which required Damen to develop a completely new vessel: the Damen Electric Fast Ferry (EFF) 3209 – known as the E-Cat Ferry.

A standard vessel was impossible due to the shallow waters in which the ferry must operate.

Secondly, the ferry will sail seven times a day, for which the vessel’s draft is limited to a maximum of 1.2 meters. A challenge for which Damen found a solution.

Fast charging

The fleet of Reederei Norden-Frisia will be extended with this 32-meter-long, fully electric catamaran.

The E-Cat Ferry can carry up to 150 passengers. With the EST-Floattech High Energy Octopus Series battery system, the ferry can reach speeds of up to 16 knots and can charge within half an hour.

EST-Floattech sized the battery system after calculating performance and lifetime data, based on the specified load profile of this vessel.

The electrical installation of the vessel will be provided by system integrator Royal van der Leun, with whom ESTFloattech has had previous successful collaborations. The battery system is Lloyd’s Register type approved and the new ferry will sail under Lloyd’s Register classification.

Sustainable solution for UNESCO World Heritage Site

Jelle Meindertsma, Sales Manager at EST-Floattech said: “It is satisfying to be part of a challenging and innovative project that contributes to a cleaner environment.

“In this case, an electric ferry that will be sailing in the Wadden Sea, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comes with strict design criteria.

“Our team worked diligently to ensure that the Octopus Series High Energy Battery System met the requirements.

“The battery system will ensure that the ferry can sail at the required speed and charge during stops without CO2 emissions, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly transport solution.”

“We have already increased sustainability on land and two years ago we decided it was time to take a look at our fleet,” says Michael Garrelts, Norden-Frisia Marine Superintendent.

“For our fleet, we believe it is elementary that the battery system corresponds to the latest technology and safety standards, and that we can create a balanced power-to-weight ratio.”

Damen Shipyards expressed its delight in partnering with EST-Floattech on this state of the art fully electric ferry: “We are very excited about this project, which is a significant step towards Damen’s goal of reducing the environmental footprint of our vessels while maintaining optimal performance with EST-Floattech’s Lithium-Ion cells.”

Once the hull has been constructed at Damen’s yard in Kozle, it will be transported to Damen Shipyards Gorinchem for outfitting.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery to Norden-Frisia in

May 2024. We can expect the demand for this type of vessel to grow as more passengers are consciously looking to contribute to the energy transition.

About EST-Floattech

EST-Floattech (2009) specialises in developing, producing, and installing reliable, sustainable, and safe battery systems for maritime applications. The in-house developed software is integrated to assure reliable operation of the Octopus Series battery system on board. The safety and reliability of ESTFloattech’s battery technology is demonstrated by the more than 200 projects with the Green Orca and Octopus Series, involving ships that have been sailing with their batteries for more than a decade. u

www.est-floattech.com

First speakers announced for LISW23 headline conference

Diversity will be a core element of this year’s London International Shipping Week Headline Conference when a healthy balance of global leaders come together to debate crucial industry issues at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization on 13th September.

LISW23 Conference Working Group Chair, Jos Standerwick, Chief Executive of Maritime London, said: “As the speaker line-up takes shape, we are on track to have the most diverse conference to date, with leading thinkers from outside the industry, and as always the most influential stakeholders from the market.”

Entitled ‘Reframing Risk in a Complex Market’, the LISW23 Headline Conference, will bring together highest-level speakers from across the world to scrutinise the business of shipping from three key perspectives: external factors; internal factors; and opportunities and solutions.

The Conference is chaired by shipping industry veteran Paddy Rodgers, Director of the Royal Museums, Greenwich and the moderators for the three sessions are Steve Davies, CEO, Anglo International; Martin Crawford-Brunt, Director, Baltic Exchange; and Siiri Duddington, Partner and Deputy Head of London Office, Hill Dickinson LLP.

Aligned with the conference’s commitment to diversity, speakers include Elisabeth Fauvelle Munck af Rosenschöld, Global Sustainability Manager for IKEA Transport & Logistics; Poonam Melwani KC, Head of Chambers, Quadrant; and Martha Selwyn, Manager for Ocean and Climate, United Nations Global Compact. Further announcements will follow soon.

Jos Standerwick said: “This year’s conference will focus on the current macroeconomic / geopolitical landscape, and what the implications are for the shipping industry.

“External stakeholders’ expectations on the industry’s decarbonisation targets and how they intersect with the internal regulatory regime; how the contractual and risk-sharing agenda can be evolved to ensure closer cooperation between counterparties in shipping’s value chain.

“And, lastly, what technological and business innovations are required successfully to manage the increasingly complex risks the industry is facing.” u

If you would like to register for the conference or the Gala Dinner then visit the website: https:// londoninternationalshippingweek.com/ticketregistration/

Play

5* for 5-Star – Stray Kids on top form

Stray Kids’ third studio album, 5-Star was released on June 2nd, with the lead single “S Class”. They will headline the music festival Lollapalooza in Paris for the first time as a K-pop artist in the French music festival, scheduled to perform on July 21. Stray Kids’ music is generally K-pop, hip hop and electronic They are considered a “self-producing” idol group as the members are almost always involved in song-writing and composing, and sometimes assist in arranging. Since the release of “God’s Menu” in 2020, Stray Kids’ discography has also been described as being of a unique “mala taste genre” and “noise music”, a label that inspired their album Noeasy.

All-knowing blue orb arrives

The future is now, and we recommend that you introduce an allknowing blue orb into your home set-up.. The new and improved Apple HomePod Mini is a very good 360-degree audio speaker, a loyal voice assistant and a surprisingly premium package for its sub-£100 price point and size. It also hooks up to your smart home service and can be linked to Apple products in other rooms.

Apple HomePod Mini, £99

With thanks to Esquire Magazine

Good night & sweet dreams!

Finding it hard to sleep? It might be that you’re struggling to turn your brain off. There are plenty of mindfulness methods you can apply to fix that, but Dodow is perhaps the simplest tech-based approach. It’s a simple device that projects a blue light on to your ceiling at a metronomic pace (for 8 to 20 minutes), which you match to your breath. Take a breath in when it expands, and breath out when it retracts. You should find that focusing your attention on the exercise calms your mind, and you’ll be off to sleep in no time.

Dodow, £49.99

Search Dodow to find outlets

With thanks to Esquire magazine

Korean poetry also sings

Korea has a rich tapestry of music for all tastes. Elsewhere we introduce you to Stray Kids. Now comes a vivid collection of Korean art songs by leading women Korean composers. A love for vocal music has maintained its presence throughout Korea’s turbulent history, and Ga-Gok or ‘Art Song’ has long offered opportunities to convey personal sentiments and messages through lyrical settings of the nation’s poetry. Today’s often deeply expressive Korean art songs combine traditional Korean/Asian musical elements within the structure of Western music. They feature the finest examples of solo and duet songs by leading Korean female composers, thus providing new insights into Korean society and its modern musical culture.

After Hours

Spymaster’s Legacy

A Private Spy spans seven decades and chronicles not only le Carré’s own life but the turbulent times to which he was witness. As well as his early years (including a spell as a teacher at Eton) it describes his entry into MI5 (the British domestic spy organisation) and the rise of the Iron Curtain, and the flowering of his career as a novelist in reaction to the building of the Berlin Wall. His son is our guide and through his letters we travel with him from the Second World War period to the immediate moment in which we live. What emerges is a portrait of the very private, very passionate and very real man behind the name.

Glenn Brown’s Second London Exhibition

There is still time to catch Glenn Brown’s second London Exhibition. Home to the art collection and archive of British artist Glenn Brown, The Brown Collection has four floors of exhibition space within a mews building in Marylebone, London. The second exhibition highlights Brown’s recent work: drawings and paintings in antique frames, sculptures, editions and three new, large paintings from 2022. Recent paintings continue Brown’s appropriations of other artists’ work using elongated lines depicting imagined brushstrokes. The works feature a languid heap of ripening quinces and entangled double portraits set in Symbolist terrains.

The Brown Collection’s comfortable lay-out

The Brown Collection, London

1 Bentinck Mews, W1U 2AF

Thu-Sat 11am-6pm, or by appointment

Until September

Embodying the Dubai dream

In some ways, chef Kelvin Cheung embodies the Dubai dream: he touched down in the city after stints at celebrated restaurants across Canada, the USA, Belbium and India, bringing with him the global sensibility with which the UAE has become synonymous. His menu at Jun’s reflects his cosmopolitan outlook, packing flavours he’s picked up along the way into sophisticated spins on comfort fare: tempura za’atar chaat with tamarind, yoghurt, and avocado; redhot chicken karaage with waffles; lobster pani puri with achaar; lamb koobideh tsukune to name but a few!But the real star here may well be Cheung himself, a natural raconteur who makes an effort to come by each table to share the spellbinding stories behind each dish. When the weather is nice, grab a seat on the patio in the shadow of the sparkling spire of the Burj Khalifa—it doesn’t get more Dubai than that.

© Glenn Brown

A Private Spy: The Letters of John le Carré 1945-2020

By John Le Carré © Edited by Tim Cornwell 752pp Viking

© Sarah Khan With thanks to cntraveller.com Jun’s Dubai – www.junsdubai.com